Enabling rent/buy redirection in invitation to an online service

ABSTRACT

A system and method are directed towards enabling a user to access a client service such as a client game program that interacts with an online service such as a multiplayer game. A client probe detects execution of the client service on a first client device, and sends an instant message with address information to a second client device. A messaging service on the second client device, displays a presence of the first client and provides a selectable button to initiate the client service. If not already installed, the messaging service requests the client service from a remote online service such as a portal that may be independent from the online game service. The remote online service may provide options to freely try, rent, or buy the client service. The second client device downloads the client service and uses the address to connect to the same online multiplayer game.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of, and claims the benefit of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/383,180, filed on May 12, 2006, which isa Non-Provisional of Provisional (35 USC 119(e)) U.S. Patent ApplicationNo. 60/681,085 filed on May 13, 2005, both of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF ART

The present invention relates generally to multi-person online services,and more particularly, but not exclusively, to enabling a user to accessa client program through an indication from another client that isparticipating in the online service.

BACKGROUND

Online multiplayer games and other collaboration services have becomeincreasingly popular as network communications have improved. Users whomay be geographically distant from each other may communicate with anonline service to participate together in games and/or othercollaboration services. Typically, users run a client program thatperforms local processing and communicates with the online service tocoordinate joint state of the multi-user game or service. For users toinitiate participation in the same online game or online service, usersmay meet in an online lobby or other matching system that is associatedwith the online game or online service. However, if a person is notalready communicating with the same lobby, or already participating inthe same online service, the person may not be aware that a friend orcolleague is participating. The friend or colleague can manuallytelephone the person or send a message with an identifier to invite theperson to participate in the same online game or service. To reachpeople outside of the online game service, a message is typically sentthrough an independent messaging service, such as an online portal emailservice or instant message service, which is generally not limited toregistered users of the online game service. However, this out-of-bandmessaging may be time consuming to find contact information and maydistract from a current game session or other service session.

The other users that are contacted may not have the client programneeded to participate in the online service. In that case, the otherusers typically access the online service independently to obtain theclient program. Typically, the other users obtain a permanent copy ofthe client program, which may be costly, and may not be desired forpermanent use. Sometimes, the other users can obtain alimited-capability client program that may not be able to join the sameonline session as the friend or colleague who informed the other usersof the online service. Also, once the client program is installed, theother users may be required to search for the friend or colleague tojoin the same online session, or use the out-of-band communication toobtain address information from the friend or colleague to join the sameonline session.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with reference to the following drawings. In the drawings,like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the variousfigures unless otherwise specified.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will bemade to the following Detailed Description of the Invention, which is tobe read in association with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment ofan environment for practicing the invention;

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a client and/or server device that may beincluded in a system implementing the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of an architecture for the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary logic for one embodimentof a games monitor to provide a listing and status of currentlyavailable games;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary logic for one embodimentof a game probe to detect execution of a game program and notify anotherclient; and

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary logic of a second clientdevice for accessing the client game program (or other client service)and interacting with the online game (or other online service).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, andwhich show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments bywhich the invention may be practiced. This invention may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.Among other things, the present invention may be embodied as methods ordevices. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of anentirely software embodiment, an entirely hardware embodiment or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects. The followingdetailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.Briefly stated, the present invention is directed towards detectingexecution of a program on a client and notifying other related clientsthat wish to interact with the first client. Although the invention isnot so limited, an exemplary embodiment is described below in terms of aclient executing a game program to participate in an online game system,and informing other clients through an instant message system that isnot directly associated with the online game system.

Illustrative Operating Environment

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an environment in which the presentinvention may operate. However, not all of these components may berequired to practice the invention, and variations in the arrangementand type of the components may be made without departing from the spiritor scope of the invention.

As shown in the figure, a system 10 includes client devices 12-14, anetwork 15, a portal service 16, and a third party game service 17 thatis not directly associated with the portal service. Network 15 is incommunication with and enables communication between each of clientdevices 12-14, portal service 16, and game service 17.

Client devices 12-14 may include virtually any computing device capableof receiving and sending a message over a network, such as network 15,to and from another computing device, such as portal service 16, eachother, and the like. The set of such devices may include mobileterminals that are usually considered more specialized devices andtypically connect using a wireless communications medium such as cellphones, smart phones, pagers, walkie talkies, radio frequency (RF)devices, infrared (IR) devices, CBs, integrated devices combining one ormore of the preceding devices, or virtually any mobile device, and thelike. The set of such devices may also include devices that are usuallyconsidered more general purpose devices and typically connect using awired communications medium such as personal computers, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,network PCs, and the like. Similarly, client devices 12-14 may be anydevice that is capable of connecting using a wired or wirelesscommunication medium such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), POCKETPC, wearable computer, and any other device that is equipped tocommunicate over a wired and/or wireless communication medium.

Each client device within client devices 12-14 includes a user interfacethat enables a user to control settings, such as presence settings, andto instruct the client device to perform operations. Each client devicealso includes a communication interface that enables the client deviceto send and receive messages from another computing device employing thesame or a different communication mode, including, but not limited toinstant messaging (IM), email, short message service (SMS) messaging,multi-media message service (MMS) messaging, internet relay chat (IRC),Mardam-Bey's internet relay chat (mIRC), Jabber, and the like. Clientdevices 12-14 may be further configured with a browser application thatis configured to receive and to send web pages, web-based messages, andthe like. The browser application may be configured to receive anddisplay graphics, text, multimedia, and the like, employing virtuallyany web based language, including, but not limited to StandardGeneralized Markup Language (SGML), HyperText Markup Language (HTML),Extensible Markup Language (XML), a wireless application protocol (WAP),a Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML), such as Wireless MarkupLanguage (WML), WMLScript, JavaScript, and the like.

Network 15 is configured to couple one computing device to anothercomputing device to enable them to communicate. Network 15 is enabled toemploy any form of medium for communicating information from oneelectronic device to another. Also, network 15 may include a wirelessinterface, such as a cellular network interface, and/or a wiredinterface, such as an Internet interface, in addition to an interface tolocal area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), directconnections, such as through a universal serial bus (USB) port, otherforms of computer-readable media, or any combination thereof. On aninterconnected set of LANs, including those based on differingarchitectures and protocols, a router acts as a link between LANs,enabling messages to be sent from one to another. Also, communicationlinks within LANs typically include twisted wire pair or coaxial cable,while communication links between networks may utilize cellulartelephone signals over air, analog telephone lines, full or fractionaldedicated digital lines including T1, T2, T3, and T4, IntegratedServices Digital Networks (ISDNs), Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs),wireless links including satellite links, or other communications linksthat are equivalent and/or known to those skilled in the art.Furthermore, remote computers and other related electronic devices couldbe remotely connected to either LANs or WANs via a modem and temporarytelephone link. In essence, network 15 includes any communication methodby which information may travel between client devices 12-14, portalservice 16, and/or game service 17. Network 15 is constructed for usewith various communication protocols including transmission controlprotocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), WAP, code division multiple access(CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM), and the like.

The media used to transmit information in communication links asdescribed above generally includes any media that can be accessed by acomputing device. Computer-readable media may include computer storagemedia, wired and wireless communication media, or any combinationthereof. Additionally, computer-readable media typically embodiescomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave, datasignal, or other transport mechanism and includes any informationdelivery media. The terms “modulated data signal,” and “carrier-wavesignal” includes a signal that has one or more of its characteristicsset or changed in such a manner as to encode information, instructions,data, and the like, in the signal. By way of example, communicationmedia includes wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and otherwireless media, and wired media such as twisted pair, coaxial cable,fiber optics, wave guides, and other wired media.

One embodiment of a general purpose client computing device, such as aclient device 20, is described in more detail below in conjunction withFIG. 2. Briefly, client device 20 may include any computing devicecapable of connecting to network 15 to enable a user to communicate withother client devices, portal server 16, and/or game service 17. Clientdevice 20 may include many more components than those shown. Thecomponents shown, however, are sufficient to disclose an illustrativeembodiment for practicing the invention. Many of the components ofclient device 20 may also be duplicated in a server of portal service16, a server of game service 17, and/or other server devices.

As shown in the figure, client device 20 includes a processing unit 22in communication with a mass memory 24 via a bus 23. Mass memory 24generally includes a RAM 26, a ROM 28, and other storage means. Massmemory 24 illustrates a type of computer-readable media, namely computerstorage media. Computer storage media may include volatile andnonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any methodor technology for storage of information such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Otherexamples of computer storage media include EEPROM, flash memory or othersemiconductor memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other mediumwhich can be used to store the desired information and which can beaccessed by a computing device.

Mass memory 24 stores a basic input/output system (“BIOS”) 30 forcontrolling low-level operation of client device 20. The mass memoryalso stores an operating system 31 for controlling the operation ofclient device 20. It will be appreciated that this component may includea general purpose operating system such as a version of Windows™, UNIX,LINUX™, or the like. The operating system may also include, or interfacewith a virtual machine module that enables control of hardwarecomponents and/or operating system operations via application programs.

Mass memory 24 further includes one or more data storage units 32, whichcan be utilized by client device 20 to store, among other things,programs 34 and/or other data. Programs 34 may include computerexecutable instructions which can be executed by client device 20 toimplement an HTTP handler application for transmitting, receiving andotherwise processing HTTP communications. Similarly, programs 34 caninclude an HTTPS handler application for handling secure connections,such as initiating communication with an external application in asecure fashion. Other examples of application programs includeschedulers, calendars, web services, transcoders, database programs,word processing programs, spreadsheet programs, and so forth.Accordingly, programs 34 can process web pages, audio, video, and enabletelecommunication with another user of another electronic device.

In addition, mass memory 24 stores one or more programs for messaging,gaming and/or other applications. A messaging client module 36 mayinclude computer executable instructions, which may be run under controlof operating system 31 to enable instant messaging, SMS, e-mail, and/orother messaging services. Similarly, a server device configured muchlike client device 20 (and/or client device 20 itself) may include amessaging server module 37, which provides routing, access control,and/or other server-side messaging services. Client device 20 mayfurther include a game 38, which interacts with a game service to enableclient device 20 to participate in an online game. A game probe 39 mayfurther detect execution of game 38 and notify other clients throughmessaging client 36 and/or messaging server 37.

Client device 20 also includes an input/output interface 40 forcommunicating with input/output devices such as a keyboard, mouse,wheel, joy stick, rocker switches, keypad, printer, scanner, and/orother input devices not specifically shown in FIG. 2. A user of clientdevice 20 can use input/output devices to interact with a user interfacethat may be separate or integrated with operating system 31 and/orprograms 34-39. Interaction with the user interface includes visualinteraction via a display, and a video display adapter 42.

For higher capability client devices such as a personal computer, clientdevice 20 may include a removable media drive 44 and/or a permanentmedia drive 46 for computer-readable storage media. Removable mediadrive 44 can comprise one or more of an optical disc drive, a floppydisk drive, and/or a tape drive. Permanent or removable storage mediamay include volatile, nonvolatile, removable, and non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information, suchas computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. Examples of computer storage media include a CD-ROM 49,digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, or any other medium which can be used to store the desiredinformation and which can be accessed by a computing device.

Via a network communication interface unit 44, client device 20 cancommunicate with a wide area network such as the Internet, a local areanetwork, a wired telephone network, a cellular telephone network, orsome other communications network, such as network 15 in FIG. 1. Networkcommunication interface unit 44 is sometimes known as a transceiver,transceiving device, network interface card (NIC), and the like.

Exemplary Program Detection and Notification

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of an architecture 10 a for thepresent invention. However, not all of the illustrated modules may berequired to practice the invention, and variations in the arrangementand type of the components may be made without departing from the spiritor scope of the invention.

As shown in the figure, a first client 12 a includes a game 38 a thatmay communicate through network 15 and interface with game service 17 toparticipate in an online, multiplayer game. A games monitor 18 alsocommunicates through network 15 with game service 17 and other gameservices to determine which online games and/or other programs areavailable. Games monitor 18 may also monitor a changing status of thegames and/or other programs. An example, of a games monitor is an AllSeeing Eye™ (ASE) server that detects new games, monitors loading onnumerous games servers, matches clients for play, and performs otherservices. In particular, games monitor 18 provides executable processnames and status information through network 15 to portal service 16and/or to clients. Games monitor 18 may provide information servicesrelated to a wide variety of games and games providers. Accordingly,games monitor 18 may comprise a collection of monitors that may or maynot be directly associated with particular games and/or game services.

While first client 12 a executes game 38 a as an application programprocess, the corresponding process name is listed in an operating systemprocess list 31 a. A game probe 39 a monitors operating system processlist 31 a to detect when game 38 a and/or other predetermined programsare executing. When game probe 39 a detects executing game 38 a, thegame probe instructs a messenger client 36 a to inform portal service 16that first client 12 a is participating in the online game. The gameprobe also instructs the messenger client to request that portal service16 notify other clients that first client 12 a is participating in theonline game. The other clients are generally members of a contact listassociated with first client 12 a. The contact list may comprisecontacts in an instant messenger list, an email address book, and/orother collections of communication contacts. First client 12 a and/orportal service 16 may store the contact list. Some contacts may beobtained from game service 17, however the contact list is not limitedto members of game service 17. Portal service 16 is also generallyindependent of game service 17, which might be limited to a single game,or a small subset of programs. Although portal service 16 may includeone or more game services, portal service 16 need not be directlyrelated to, or controlled by game service 17. Instead, portal service 16may act as an intermediary between a wide variety of game services,enabling clients to interact beyond the boundaries of an particular gameservice.

For example, portal service 16 can communicate the notification throughnetwork 15 to a messenger client 38 b of a second client 12 b who may,or may not be a current member of game service 17. The notification canbe displayed and/or otherwise provided to a user of second client 12 b,who may choose to download and/or execute a game 38 b and participate inthe online multiplayer game with the user of first client 12 a. If theuser of second client 12 b executes game 38 b, the corresponding processname will be added to an operating system process list 31 b. If secondclient 12 b includes a game probe 39 b, it can instruct messenger client38 b to notify first client 12 a and/or other clients that second client12 b is also participating in the online multiplayer game.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary logic for one embodimentof a games monitor to provide a listing and status of currentlyavailable games. At an operation 102, the games monitor determines whichgames and/or other programs are available from one or more game servicesand/or other services. The games monitor may obtain information fromprogram publishers, program developers, users, reviewers, and the like.On a periodic basis, such as each day, the games monitor updates aconfiguration data file (e.g., config.dat), with the name and otherinformation about any new program executable files that have becomeavailable. At an operation 104, the games monitor creates a table ofgame services (and/or other services). The table includes communicationinformation, such as a network address(s), port(s), protocolrequirements, and the like. A sample table is illustrated in Table 1below:

TABLE 1 Program Time Name File Name Server Address Port No. No. ofMessages Period Status Half Life 2 HL2.exe 123.456.789.101 80 10 1 sec.98% Half Life 2 HL2.exe 963.852.741.951 80 10 1 sec. 53% Quake 3 Q3D.exe101.987.654.321 60 20 1.5 sec.   84% Sims Sims.exe 147.258.369.741 40 10.5 sec.  46%The table may also include information that the game probe may use todetermine whether the game is truly an online game in which otherclients can participate. For example, the table may include informationon communication traffic that would indicate an executing game isinteracting with the online game service. Such information may include anumber of messages that typically pass between the game service and theclient within a specified time period.

At an operation 106, the games monitor makes the table available to gameprobes that are installed on clients. Each game probe may check for anddownload the table upon initiation of the game probe. Alternatively, thegames monitor may push the table down to clients that are known to havea game probe installed. At an operation 108, the games monitor regularlyupdates the table with a current status of each game server. The statusinformation may be used by newly initiated game probes to determinewhich game server(s) may be better to connect with and/or determinewhether sufficient resources are available on a game server on which afriend is playing.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary logic for one embodimentof a game probe to detect execution of a game program and notify anotherclient. At an operation 110, a client device receives permission toinstall the game probe. Permission may be provided when the clientrequests the game probe, when the game probe initiates its installationprocess, and/or at another suitable time. At an operation 112, the gameprobe is installed on the client device. The game probe contacts thegames monitor and downloads the current table of game services at anoperation 114.

At a decision operation 116, the game probe monitors the operatingsystem process list for filenames of predefined executable filescorresponding to games and/or other application programs that are listedin the table. If the game probe does not detect one the predefinedexecutable files, the game probe continues to monitor the process list.The game probe may wait for predefined or selectable intervals, such asevery 15 seconds, to check for any of the predefined executable files.Once the game probe detects a predefined executable file in the processlist, the game probe checks headers of communication traffic associatedwith the predefined executable file, at an operation 118. The game probemay check to see whether most the communication traffic is with the samegame server, on the same port, and/or other communicationcharacteristics. At a decision operation 120, the game probe determineswhether a large amount of communication traffic is associated with thepredefined executable file. For example, the game probe may detectwhether a certain number of user datagram protocol (UDP) messages havebeen exchanged with the same game server within a specific time period.The number of messages and time period are generally provided in thetable. However, the threshold number of messages and time period maydepend on communication optimizations for each game, game servers,and/or other aspects.

If the communication traffic indicates that the client is communicatingwith an online game service, the game probe instructs the messengerclient to send an instant message to one or more contacts, at anoperation 122. The client user may preselect contacts to which a messageshould be sent and/or predefine other limitations on sending messagesrelated to execution of the predefined program(s). The instant messagemay include information associated with the game service, so thatcontacts may communicate with the same game service. This provides anautomated way to invite friends to participate in an online game and/orother services. The message may be sent directly to contacts based oninformation stored on the client. Alternatively, or in addition, themessage may be communicated to a portal service which may distribute themessage to other clients based on an address book and/or other contactinformation stored by the portal service. Conversely, if thecommunication traffic indicates that the client is not communicatingwith an online game service, but instead may be playing the game onlylocally, no message is sent.

At a decision operation 124, the game probe detects whether thepredefined executable file is still executing as indicated by theprocess list. If the game is still executing, the game probe determines,at a decision operation 126, whether a message has already been sent. Ifa message has already been sent, the game probe continues to monitor theprocess list to detect delisting of the predefined executable file.However, if a message was not previously sent control returns tooperation 118 to continue to monitor communication traffic related tothe predefined executable file. If the game has ended, the predefinedexecutable file will no longer be listed, and the game probe can returnto detecting and/or monitoring any other predefined executable files.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary logic of a second clientdevice for accessing the client game program (or other client service)and interacting with the online game (or other online service). At anoperation 130, the second client device receives the message that thefirst client device is engaged in the online service. The messageincludes address information needed for the second client device tocommunicate with the same online game service. The message may come inthe form of a presence indication through a messaging service, such asan instant message service, running on second client device. Forexample, the messaging service may provide an audio tone and/or a visualicon indicating that the first client is online. The audio tone and/orvisual icon may also include an identifier of the online service withwhich the first client is interacting. The identifier is displayed at anoperation 132 with a selectable control (e.g., a button, text, a link,etc.) that enables a user to initiate the game being played by the firstclient. At an operation 134, the user selects the control to initiatethe game.

At a decision operation 136, the messaging service of the second clientdetermines whether the same game program is installed on the secondclient device. If the same game program is already installed on thesecond client device, the second client device launches the game programat an operation 138. The game program then uses the address informationto connect to the same online game service as the first client.

However, if the game program is not already installed, the second clientdevice determines at a decision operation 140 whether the online portalservice has distribution rights for the game program. This determinationmay be made with the above table or other data that may be stored by themessaging service on the second client device and/or that may beaccessible from the online portal service. If the online portal servicedoes not have distribution rights, the second client device may beredirected to a distributor of the game program at an operation 142.Conversely, if the online portal service does have distribution rights,the second client device is directed to a portion of the online portalservice at an operation 144 that provides information about the gameprogram and/or enables the second client device to access the gameprogram. The information may include a status of the first client, suchas a current state in the online game (whether in need of help fromfriends), an indication of whether the first client is available forvoice chat, and/or other information.

The information from the online portal service may also provide optionsfor freely trying, renting, or purchasing the game program. Theinformation and/or options may be provided through a web page, throughthe messaging service, and/or other service. At a decision operation146, the second client device determines whether the user has selectedto rent the game program. If the user chooses to rent, the online portalservice may download a trial version of the game program that may expireand/or have limited capabilities and an operation 148. However, thetrial version will generally still include the ability to communicatewith the online game service. Accordingly, the downloaded trial versionof the game program may use the address information to connect to secondclient device to the same online game session as the first clientdevice.

Alternatively, if the user does not choose to rent the game program, thesecond client device determines at a decision operation 150, whether theuser has selected to purchase the game program. If the user chooses topurchase, the online portal service downloads a permanent orsubscription version of the game program and an operation 152. Thepermanent or subscription version of the game program may also use theaddress information to connect to second client device to the sameonline game session as the first client device. If the user chooses notto rent or buy, the user may be given an option for free trial, may begiven information on other game programs, may be redirected to anotherarea of the online portal service, or provided other information.

The above specification, examples, and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinvention. However other embodiments will be clear to one skilled in theart. For example, the client probe may detect any type of predeterminedprocess being executed on a client, besides games, and notify otherclients. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

1. A network device for detecting participation in an on-line service,comprising: a communication interface for providing communication withthe on-line service and at least one other network device; a memoryconfigured for storing processing instructions; and a processor incommunication with the communication interface and the memory, whereinthe processor performs actions based at least in part on the storedinstructions, including: dynamically updating a communicationinformation table on the network device, wherein the communicationinformation table includes a plurality of communication characteristicsfor at least one client program including at least a plurality ofparameters and related thresholds that correspond to the at least oneclient program; monitoring executable files to detect that a clientprogram of the at least one client program in the communicationinformation table is executing on the network device; determining thatthe detected client program is interacting with the on-line service overa network by utilizing the plurality of communication characteristicsthat correspond to the detected client program, such that thedetermination is based at least in part on a number of a plurality ofmessages exchanged between the detected client program and the on-lineservice exceeding a corresponding predefined threshold within acorresponding predefined time period, wherein the determining isperformed by a game probe that is separate from the detected clientprogram and the on-line service; and sending an invitation toparticipate in the on-line service as a short message service (SMS)message to the at least one other network device in response todetermining that the detected client program is interacting with theon-line service.
 2. The network device of claim 1, wherein theinvitation to participate in the on-line service includes text thatidentifies a link to the on-line service for display of contentassociated with the on-line service.
 3. The network device of claim 1,wherein the processor actions further include: receiving a clientidentifier from a user of the detected client program; and sending theSMS message to the at least one other network device based on addressinginformation associated with the client identifier.
 4. The network deviceof claim 1, wherein the processor actions further include detecting thatanother SMS message has been received, and wherein the other SMS messageincludes a request that the SMS message is to be sent to the at leastone other network device.
 5. The network device of claim 1, wherein theprocessor actions further include detecting that another SMS message hasbeen received, and wherein the other SMS message includes at least onecontact identifier for addressing the SMS message to the at least oneanother network device.
 6. The network device of claim 1, wherein thememory is further configured for storing a contact list such that atleast one contact identifier is identified in another SMS message by aselection of the least one contact identifier from among other contactidentifiers of the contact list.
 7. The network device of claim 1,wherein the on-line service includes a game service.
 8. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium, comprising executable instructions forperforming actions, including: dynamically updating a communicationinformation table on a client device, wherein the communicationinformation table includes a plurality of communication characteristicsfor at least one client program including at least a plurality ofparameters and related thresholds that correspond to the at least oneclient program; monitoring executable files to detect that a clientprogram of the at least one client program in the communicationinformation table is executing on the client device; determining thatthe detected client program is participating in an on-line service overa network by utilizing the plurality of communication characteristicsthat correspond to the detected client program, such that thedetermination is based at least in part on a number of a plurality ofmessages exchanged between the detected client program and the on-lineservice exceeding a corresponding predefined threshold within acorresponding predefined time period, wherein the determining isperformed by a game probe that is executing on the client device and isseparate from the detected client program and the on-line service; andsending an invitation to participate in the on-line service as a shortmessage service (SMS) message to another client device in response todetermining that the detected client program is participating in theon-line service.
 9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumof claim 8, wherein performing actions further includes identifying atleast one contact identifier associated with a user of the clientdevice, and wherein sending the invitation further includes addressingthe invitation based at least in part on the least one contactidentifier.
 10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 8, wherein performing actions further includes identifying atleast one contact identifier from a contact list associated with a userof the client device.
 11. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 8, wherein the invitation to participate in the on-lineservice includes text that identifies a link to the on-line service fordisplay of content associated with the on-line service.
 12. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, whereindetermining that the detected client program is participating in theon-line service includes: detecting execution of the detected clientprogram; and determining that communication between the detected clientprogram and the on-line service exceeds a predefined thresholdindicating that the detected client program is participating in theon-line service.
 13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumof claim 8, wherein determining that the detected client program isparticipating in the on-line service includes: evaluating a header ofeach communication from the detected client program to determine thatthe communication is between the detected client program and a sameon-line service address; and determining that a rate of communicationbetween the detected client program and the same on-line service addressexceeds a threshold number within a predefined period.
 14. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein theon-line service includes a game service.
 15. A client device fordetecting participation in an on-line service, comprising: acommunication interface for providing communication with the on-lineservice and a network device; a memory configured for storing processinginstructions; and a processor in communication with the communicationinterface and the memory, wherein the processor performs actions basedat least in part on the stored instructions, including: dynamicallyupdating a communication information table on the client device, whereinthe communication information table includes a plurality ofcommunication characteristics for at least one client program includingat least a plurality of parameters and related thresholds thatcorrespond to the at least one client program; detecting execution of aclient program of the at lest one client program in the communicationinformation table that is associated with the on-line service;determining, by utilizing the plurality of communication characteristicsthat correspond to the detected client program, that a number of aplurality of messages exchanged between the detected client program andthe on-line service within a corresponding predefined time periodexceeds a corresponding predefined threshold indicating that thedetected client program is participating in the on-line service, whereinthe determining is performed by a game probe that is separate from thedetected client program and the on-line service; and sending aninvitation as a short message service (SMS) message to the networkdevice in response to determining that the communication between thedetected client program and the on-line service exceeds thecorresponding predefined threshold.
 16. The client device of claim 15,wherein the SMS message includes a request to invite one or more usersto participate in the on-line service.
 17. The client device of claim15, wherein the processor actions further include: receiving an inputfrom a user of the client device that identifies at least one clientidentifier; and providing the at least one client identifier in the SMSmessage.
 18. The client device of claim 15, wherein the on-line serviceincludes a game service.
 19. A system for detecting participation in anon-line service, comprising: a processor; a memory storing instructionsthat when executed by the processor provide services including: acommunication information table that is dynamically updatable andincludes a plurality of communication characteristics for a plurality ofclient programs including at least a plurality of parameters and relatedthresholds that correspond each of the plurality of client programs; anon-line service probe that is configured to perform actions, includingdetermining that a detected client program of the plurality of clientprograms in the communication information table is participating in theon-line service over a network by utilizing the plurality ofcommunication characteristics that correspond to the detected clientprogram, such that the determination is based at least in part on anumber of a plurality of messages exchanged between the detected clientprogram and the on-line service exceeding a corresponding predefinedthreshold within a corresponding predefined time period; and a messagingservice that is configured to perform actions, including: receiving acommunication indicating that the detected client program isparticipating in the on-line service; and sending a short messageservice (SMS) message to a client device indicating the detected clientprogram is participating in the on-line service.
 20. The system of claim19, wherein the SMS message includes an invitation to the client devicefrom another client device associated with the detected client programto participate in the on-line service.
 21. The system of claim 19,wherein the messaging service actions further include receiving acontact identifier from the other client device for addressing the SMSmessage to the client device.
 22. The system of claim 19, wherein themessaging service actions further include employing a contact identifierassociated with a contact list for addressing the SMS message to theclient device.
 23. The system of claim 19, wherein the on-line serviceincludes a game service and the on-line service probe includes a gameprobe.